 | ||
|
| |    Bleeding Gums: A Common Nuisance of Pregnancy by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Many expectant mothers notice that their gums bleed when they brush or floss their teeth. The culprit usually is gingivitis (from "gingiva," meaning gums, and "-itis," meaning inflammation). Food particles that get caught between the tooth and gum attract bacteria, which can lead to inflammation. This condition can plague anyone, but the hormones of pregnancy often aggravate it by causing tissues to swell and augmenting the supply of blood to the gums. Prevention and treatment The best way to keep gingivitis at bay is by brushing and flossing regularly. Foods with hard slivers, such as popcorn, have a particular tendency to stick between the tooth and gum and should be flossed out as soon as possible or, better yet, avoided. Contact your dentist if your gums continue to bleed several minutes after brushing. Medical conditions that can cause bleeding Occasionally, pregnant women experience a problem with blood clotting. If, in addition to bleeding gums, you bruise easily, have frequent or heavy nosebleeds, or experience bleeding in other parts of your body, let your practitioner know.
| |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
